Diagnostic and treatment planning calculator

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided to help medical personnel receives and input a first interface that receives patient-specific information, a second interface that displays a plurality of treatment options, a processor that executes software that projects clinical outcomes for at least first and second ones of the treatment options as a function of historic data and the patient-specific information. and a third interface that displays at least the first and second ones of the treatment options.

1 . A device comprising: 
 a first interface that receives patient-specific information;    a second interface that displays a plurality of treatment options; and    a processor that executes software that projects clinical outcomes for at least first and second ones of the treatment options as a function of historic data and the patient-specific information; and    a third interface that displays at least the first and second ones of the treatment options.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces comprises an electronic display  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the third interface comprises a printout.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second and third interfaces comprise a spreadsheet.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second outcomes comprise at least one of a change in severity, frequency, or duration of a symptom.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second outcomes comprise at least one of a change in a laboratory value.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the software to project a monetary cost associated with at least one of the first and second ones of the treatment options.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the software to identify a side effect associated with at least one of the first and second ones of the treatment options.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further executes the software to identify likelihood of occurrence of the side effect.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth interface that receives a diagnosis.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor further executes the software to project the clinical outcomes as a function of the diagnosis.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth interface that displays a plurality of diagnostic possibilities.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth interface that correlates costs with the diagnostic possibilities.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a fourth interface that correlates at least the first and second ones of the treatment options with the diagnostic possibilities.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second treatment options comprises administration of a drug.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second treatment options comprises a lifestyle change.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a pocket sized housing.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a display screen.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising control buttons.  
   
   
       21 . A method of advising a patient, comprising: 
 entering into the device clinical information specific to the patient;    retrieving from the device a comparison of treatment options and clinical outcomes that have historically been associated with change of a value within the clinical information; and    relating at least a portion of the comparison to the patient.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the clinical outcomes include at least one of a change in severity, frequency, or duration of a symptom.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the value comprises a laboratory test result.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the clinical outcomes include a monetary cost.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of retrieving a comparison from the device comprising a user of the device viewing a display that displays at least a portion of the comparison.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of retrieving a comparison from the device comprising printing at least a portion of the comparison.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising entering into the device a diagnosis that is specific to the patient.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising a medical professional using the comparison as a basis from which to discuss at least some of the treatment options and at least some of the clinical outcomes with the patient.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device has sufficient processing power and memory such that the device does not need to communicate with an external source to produce the comparison.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising an interface through which the device communicates to an external source to produce the comparison.